Tamper Proof Container

ABSTRACT

A tamper resistant container configured to receive and store substances for which restricted access is desired. The tamper resistant container includes a body having four walls and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume. The body includes an upper end and a lower end wherein the body includes three protrusions formed on the outer surface of three of the four walls proximate the upper end of the body. A lid is hingedly secured to the body and configured to hermetically seal the interior volume of the body. A plurality of receiving grooves are formed on two opposing walls of the body. At least one divider is provided to slidably engage with the plurality of receiving grooves in order to divide the interior volume into two sections. The lid is moved to its open position by a simultaneous action on all of the three protrusions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers, more specificallybut not by way of limitation, a container that is configured to providerestricted access to the interior volume thereof wherein the lid of thepresent invention requires simultaneous engagement at three differentpoints in order to access the interior volume of the present invention.

BACKGROUND

Tamper proof containers are well known in the art and are utilized forvarious different substances. One of the most common tamper proof orchild resistant container are prescription medicine containers. As isknown in the art, conventional prescription medicine containers aredesigned to inhibit access to those individuals, typically those youngerin age, from accessing the interior volume of the container and as suchany substance that is disposed therein. The conventional prescriptioncontainer has been utilized for decades and includes a rotational caphaving a tab and block configuration that restricts normal rotationalmovement of the cap without the tab being engaged. While this containerhas proven somewhat effective, many children can operate theaforementioned type of container. Restricting access to the contents ofcontainers is vitally important for the safety of children and others.There are numerous substances that need to be stored in containers thatprovide restricted access thereto.

One type of substance that needs restricted access is cannabis. Thelegalization of cannabis has begun to proliferate across North America.Recreational cannabis is legal in Canada and many states in the UnitedStates. Cannabis comes in many forms such as but not limited to ediblesor smoking form. While cannabis is legal, there are still laws that aresimilar to alcohol wherein the prevention of access to cannabis bychildren is the focus. It is desirable for those utilizing cannabis toinhibit the ability for children and other individuals to access thecannabis. As such, storing the cannabis in a proper container isimportant. Additionally, storage of the smoking form of cannabis whichis often tobacco like in manner that is rolled in a rolling paper isdesired wherein the smoking form of cannabis is properly hermeticallysealed so as to ensure the maintenance of the quality for a desired timeperiod.

Accordingly, there is a need for a tamper proof container that isconfigured to receive and retain cannabis, particularly in the smokingform, wherein the interior volume of the tamper proof container ishermetically sealed and requires enhanced dexterity to engage the lidthereof so as to properly move to the open position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a tamper proofcontainer that is configured to receive and store substances such as butnot limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein the container of thepresent invention has an interior volume that is hermetically sealed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proofcontainer that is configured to provide restricted access to theinterior volume and the contents disposed therein wherein the tamperproof container includes a body having a bottom and four wallsintegrally formed to create an interior volume.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proofcontainer that is configured to receive and store substances such as butnot limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein the interior volumehas receiving grooves formed on the interior surface of two opposingwalls thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tamperproof container that is configured to provide restricted access to theinterior volume and the contents disposed therein that further includesat least one divider wherein the divider is releasably secured withinthe receiving grooves so as to provide division of the interior volumeof the container.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a tamperproof container that is configured to receive and store substances suchas but not limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein three of thefour walls of the container include protrusions formed on the outersurface thereof proximate the upper edge of the container.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a tamperproof container that is configured to provide restricted access to theinterior volume and the contents disposed therein that further includesa lid, wherein the lid is hingedly secured to the body of the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proofcontainer that is configured to receive and store substances such as butnot limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein the lid includesthree apertures wherein the three apertures are aligned and mateablycoupled with the protrusions.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tamperproof container that is configured to provide restricted access to theinterior volume and the contents disposed therein wherein in order tofacilitate moving of the lid from a closed position to an open position,two of the three protrusions are subjected to one movement and the thirdprotrusion is released from its corresponding aperture with an alternatemovement.

An additional object of the present invention to provide a tamper proofcontainer that is configured to receive and store substances such as butnot limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein the interior of thelid includes a material disposed thereon that facilitates the hermeticsealing of the interior volume of the container.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the presentinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings areillustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of thepresent invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had byreference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention showing aninternal divider; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the lid of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein variouselements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and whereinthrough the views and figures like elements are referenced withidentical reference numerals, there is illustrated a tamper proofcontainer 100 constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein withreference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the detailed description herein with respect tothese figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplatedwithin the scope of the present invention that alternative embodimentsare plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, thosehaving skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the presentinvention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitableapproaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application toimplement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyondthat of the particular implementation choices in the embodimentdescribed herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within thescope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, materials, uses and applicationsdescribed herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit thescope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein andin the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the pluralreference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or moreelements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in theart. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusivesense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having thedefinition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusiveor” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structuresdescribed herein are to be understood also to refer to functionalequivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed toexpress approximation should be so understood unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplaryembodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, the tamper proof container 100includes body 10 that is comprised of a plurality of walls 12 and abottom 14 integrally formed to create an interior volume 16. The body 10is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limitedto plastic. The body includes an upper end 13 and a lower end 15. Whilethe body is illustrated herein as being rectangular in shape, it iscontemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10could be formed in alternate shapes and sizes. Furthermore, while thebody 10 is illustrated herein as having four walls 12, it iscontemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10could have more or less than four walls 12. By way of example but notlimitation the body 10 could have as few as one wall or more than fourwalls. As will be further discussed herein, it is important within thescope of the present invention that the body 10 be formed so as to havediametrically opposing points across the interior volume 16 so as toreceive and retain therein at least one divider 60.

Referring in particular to FIG. 3 herein, the interior volume 16 hasformed therein a plurality of receiving grooves 20. The receivinggrooves 20 are formed on the inner surfaces 9,19 of walls 12specifically on opposing walls 17,18. The receiving grooves 20 areformed utilizing suitable durable techniques and extend substantiallythe length intermediate the upper end 13 and lower end 15 of the body10. The receiving grooves 20 are perpendicular to the bottom 14 and areformed in a parallel manner. The receiving grooves 20 are formed so asto extend the width of the body 10 and are operable to releasablyreceive and retain a divider 60. While the receiving grooves 20 areillustrated herein as being formed on the inner surfaces 9,19substantially across the width of the body 10, it is contemplated withinthe scope of the present invention that the receiving grooves 20 couldbe formed on only a portion of the inner surfaces 9,19.

The divider 60 is planar in manner and manufactured in a size so as toextend intermediate the walls 17,18 and engage the receiving grooves 20formed thereon. The divider 60 is slidably introduced into the interiorvolume 16 of the body 10 and is releasably retained in position with thereceiving grooves 20. The divider 60 is operable to divide the interiorvolume 16 into at least a first section 25 and a second section 26. Itshould be understood that the tamper proof container 100 could employmore than one divider 60 so as to create a plurality of sections withinthe interior volume 16 of the body 10 wherein the plurality of sectionsare sized by a user of the tamper proof container 100 in order to be ofsuitable size to receive a desired object such as but not limited to thesmoking form of cannabis. The divider 60 is manufactured from a durablerigid material such as but not limited to plastic and extendssubstantially the length of the body 10 intermediate the upper end 13and lower end 15.

Formed on the outer surface of the walls 12 proximate the upper end 13of the body 10 are protrusions 40. The protrusions 40 are formedutilizing suitable techniques and are operable to extend outward fromthe outer surface of the walls 12. As will be further discussed herein,the protrusions 40 are configured to engage apertures 50 of lid 70 so asto inhibit movement of the lid 70 to an open position without engagementof the protrusions 40. While the protrusions 40 are illustrated hereinas being square in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of thepresent invention that the protrusions 40 could be formed in numerousalternate shapes so as to mateably couple with apertures 50 of a similarshape.

The protrusions 40 are formed on the opposing walls 17, 18 and end wall8. The arrangement of the three protrusions 40 require a particularaction thereon in order to facilitate the movement of the lid 70 to theopen position. Protrusions 41, 42 are positioned on walls 17, 18 acrossfrom each other and a user will depress protrusions 41,42 to releasefrom their corresponding apertures 50 as part of the procedure formoving the lid 70 to the open position. Simultaneously with theaforementioned movement, protrusion 43 is depressed inward so as torelease protrusion 43 from its corresponding aperture 50. The movementaction on protrusion 43 could further include a pull motion on lidsection 71 in addition to or in combination with the immediatelyaforementioned movement. The procedure to move the lid 50 to its openposition requires a first movement wherein protrusions 41,42 aredepressed towards each other and a simultaneous movement whereinprotrusion 43 is moved inward and perpendicularly to the movement onprotrusions 41, 42. The dexterity requirement of the aforementionedmovements to move the lid 70 to its open position will typically requiretwo hands from a user and as such be difficult for individuals havingreduced dexterity to move the lid 70 to its open position. While threeprotrusions 40 are preferred, it is contemplated within the scope of thepresent invention that the tamper proof container 100 could employ twoprotrusions wherein the movement thereon would be perpendicular so as toremove the lid 70.

The lid 70 is hingedly attached to the body 10 utilizing hinge 80. Hinge80 is constructed to facilitate movement of the lid 70 from an openposition to a closed position while maintaining engagement with the body10. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention thatthe hinge 80 could be constructed in numerous alternate manners in orderto achieve the desired objective herein. The lid 70 is manufactured froma suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic and issized so as to provide coverage of the opening to the interior volume 16of the body 10. It is contemplated within the scope of the presentinvention that the lid 70 include a sealing element such as but notlimited to silicon rubber on the inner surface thereof so as tofacilitate a hermetic seal intermediate the interior volume 16 and theatmosphere. As one intended use of the tamper proof container 100 is toprovide storage of cannabis in its smoking form, an ability to ensure aseal of the lid 70 is desirable so as to maintain the integrity of thecontents disposed therein.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have beendescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitableembodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description mayomit certain information known to those skilled in the art. Thepreceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limitedto the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it isintended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, ascan be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container that is designed to be substantiallytamper proof comprising: a body, said body having at least one wall anda bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume, said bodyhaving an upper end and a lower end, said at least one wall of said bodyhaving an inner surface and an outer surface; at least two receivinggrooves, said at least two receiving grooves being formed on said innersurface of said at least one wall of said body, said at least tworeceiving grooves located at a diametrically opposed location; at leasttwo protrusions, said least two protrusions being formed on said outersurface of said at least one wall of said body, said least twoprotrusions configured to extends outward from said at least one wall; alid, said lid configured to releasably secure to said body, said lidhaving at least two apertures, said at least two apertures configured tomateable couple with said least two protrusions; and wherein said lid isremoved from said body by performing an action on at least twoprotrusions, wherein said action is perpendicular in manner.
 2. Thecontainer as recited in claim 1, and further including a divider, saiddivider configured to be slidably inserted into said at least tworeceiving grooves.
 3. The container as recited in claim 2, wherein saidlid is hingedly secured to said body proximate said upper end thereof.4. The container as recited in claim 3, wherein said lid is configuredto hermetically seal the interior volume of said body.
 5. The containeras recited in claim 4, wherein said at least two protrusions areperpendicularly oriented with respect to each other.
 6. The container asrecited in claim 5, wherein said at least two protrusions and said atleast two apertures are formed in mateable shapes.
 7. The container asrecited in claim 6, wherein said body is manufactured from a rigidmaterial.
 8. A container configured to receive substances thereinwherein restricted access is desired for the substances where thecontainer comprises: a body, said body having a plurality of walls and abottom integrally formed to create an interior volume, said body havingan upper end and a lower end, said plurality of walls of said bodyhaving an inner surface and an outer surface, said plurality of wallsbeing configured so as to have two opposing walls; a plurality ofreceiving grooves, said plurality of receiving grooves being formed onsaid inner surface of said two opposing walls of said body; threeprotrusions, said three protrusions being formed on said outer surfaceof said plurality of walls of said body, said three protrusionsconfigured to extend outward from said plurality of walls; a lid, saidlid configured to releasably secure to said body, said lid having threeapertures, said three apertures being located on said lid so as to havea corresponding location with said three protrusions, said threeapertures configured to mateable couple with said three protrusions; andwherein said lid is removed from said body by performing an action onsaid three protrusions simultaneously.
 9. The container as recited inclaim 8, wherein two of said three protrusions are located on said twoopposing walls of said body and one of said three protrusions is locatedon a wall having a perpendicular orientation thereto.
 10. The containeras recited in claim 9, and further including a plurality of receivinggrooves, said plurality of receiving grooves formed on the inner surfaceof said at least two opposing walls.
 11. The container as recited inclaim 10, at least one divider, at least one divider configured to beslidably inserted within said plurality of receiving grooves, said atleast one divider extending across the interior volume of said body,said at least one divider operable to divide said interior volume into afirst section and a second section.
 12. The container as recited inclaim 11, wherein said two of said three protrusions are pressed againstin a movement plane direction towards each other and the one of saidthree protrusions is biased against in a direction that is perpendicularto the movement plane direction of the two of said three protrusions soas to move the lid to an open position.
 13. The container as recited inclaim 12, wherein said three protrusions and said three apertures areformed in the same shape.
 14. The container as recited in claim 13,wherein said lid in hingedly secured to said body and configured tohermetically seal the interior volume of said body.
 15. A tamper proofcontainer configured to receive and store therein substances for whichrestricted access is desired comprising: a body, said body having fourwalls and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume, saidbody having an upper end and a lower end, said four walls of said bodyhaving an inner surface and an outer surface, said body beingrectangular in shape; a plurality of receiving grooves, said pluralityof receiving grooves being formed on said inner surface on two opposingwalls of said body, said plurality of receiving grooves extendingintermediate said upper end and said lower end of said body; threeprotrusions, said three protrusions being formed on said outer surfaceof said four walls of said body, said three protrusions configured toextend outward from said four walls, two of said three protrusions beingformed on opposing walls of said body, one of said three protrusionsbeing formed on a wall intermediate and perpendicular to the opposingwalls; a lid, said lid configured to releasably secure to said body,said lid having three apertures, said three apertures being located onsaid lid so as to have a corresponding location with said threeprotrusions, said three apertures configured to mateable couple withsaid three protrusions; and wherein said lid is removed from said bodyby performing a simultaneous action on said three protrusions.
 16. Thetamper proof container as recited in claim 15, a plurality of dividers,said plurality of dividers configured to be slidably inserted withinsaid plurality of receiving grooves, said plurality of dividersextending across the interior volume of said body, said plurality ofdividers operable to divide said interior volume into plurality ofsections.
 17. The tamper proof container as recited in claim 16, whereinsaid two of said three protrusions on said opposing walls are pressedagainst in a movement plane direction towards each other and the one ofsaid three protrusions is biased against in a direction that isperpendicular to the movement plane direction of the two of said threeprotrusions so as to move the lid to an open position.
 18. The tamperproof container as recited in claim 17, rein said lid in hingedlysecured to said body and configured to hermetically seal the interiorvolume of said body.
 19. The tamper proof container as recited in claim18, wherein said three protrusions and said three apertures are formedin a square shape.
 20. The tamper proof container as recited in claim19, wherein said body and said lid are manufactured from plastic.